Dodger BlueDodger BlueDodger Blue
  • Dodgers News
    • MLB News
  • Rumors
  • Schedules
    • 2025 Spring Training
    • 2025 Dodger Stadium giveaways
    • 2025 regular season
  • Team
    • Active roster
    • Salaries
  • Video
  • Odds
    • MLB Odds
    • NHL Odds
    • NFL Odds
    • NBA Odds
    • NCAAF Odds
    • NCAAB Odds
    • CFL Odds
    • UFC Odds
    • Boxing Odds
    • MLS Odds
    • PGA Odds
  • About
    • Terms of Service
    • Privacy Policy
    • Contact
Font ResizerAa
Dodger BlueDodger Blue
Font ResizerAa
  • Dodgers News
  • Rumors
  • Schedules
  • Team
  • Video
  • Odds
  • About
Search
  • Dodgers News
    • MLB News
  • Rumors
  • Schedules
    • 2025 Spring Training
    • 2025 Dodger Stadium giveaways
    • 2025 regular season
  • Team
    • Active roster
    • Salaries
  • Video
  • Odds
    • MLB Odds
    • NHL Odds
    • NFL Odds
    • NBA Odds
    • NCAAF Odds
    • NCAAB Odds
    • CFL Odds
    • UFC Odds
    • Boxing Odds
    • MLS Odds
    • PGA Odds
  • About
    • Terms of Service
    • Privacy Policy
    • Contact
Follow US
© 2024 Medium Large Sports Media, LLC. All Rights Reserved. Use of this site constitutes acceptance of our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy.
Dodger Blue > Dodgers News > Roki Sasaki: Signing Decision ‘Purely Based On Where I Can Grow’
Dodgers News

Roki Sasaki: Signing Decision ‘Purely Based On Where I Can Grow’

Matt Borelli
January 23, 2025
4 Min Read
SHARE

Roki Sasaki was formally introduced by the Los Angeles Dodgers in a press conference at Dodger Stadium on Wednesday.

The Japanese phenom was posted by the Chiba Lotte Marines in December and immediately became one of the most coveted free agents of the offseason.

He met with several interested teams before narrowing down the group to three finalists and signing with the Dodgers. “I’m truly grateful to all the team officials who took the time to meet with me during this process,” Sasaki said through interpreter Will Ireton.

“I spent the past month embracing and reflecting on this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to choose a place purely based on where I can grow as a player the most. Every organization helped me in its own way and it was an incredibly difficult decision to choose just one.

“I am fully aware that there are many different opinions out there, but now that I’ve decided to come here, I want to move forward with the belief that the decision I made is the best one, trust in those who have believed in my potential and conviction in the goals that I set for myself.”

Sasaki took his time with making a decision and believes the Dodgers were the best fit for him as he makes the jump to MLB.

“I had the opportunity to speak to a lot of teams, and they had a lot of appealing features, but overall when I looked at the general consensus, I thought the Dodgers were at the top,” Sasaki said.

Sasaki will become the 13th Japanese-born player to play for the Dodgers, joining manager Dave Roberts (2002-2004), Hideo Nomo (1995-1998, 2002-2004), Masao Kida (2003-2004), Kazuhisa Ishii (2002-2004), Norihiro Nakamura (2005), Takashi Saito (2006-2008), Hiroki Kuroda (2008-2011), Kenta Maeda (2016-2019), Yu Darvish (2017), Yoshi Tsutsugo (2021) and current teammates Shohei Ohtani and Yoshinobu Yamamoto.

Sasaki went 10-5 with a 2.35 ERA and 1.04 WHIP in 111 innings for the Marines last year. He finished his career in Japan with a 30-15 record and 2.02 ERA across four seasons.

The 23-year-old is now set to be part of a Dodgers rotation that should include Blake Snell, Tyler Glasnow, Yamamoto and eventually Ohtani, among others.

Roki Sasaki turned down larger offers to sign with Dodgers

Because Sasaki is just 23 years old and did not reach six years of service time in Nippon Professional Baseball, he was subject to MLB’s rules for international amateurs.

That capped his signing bonus with the Dodgers at $6.5 million. However, he turned down more lucrative offers from the San Diego Padres and Toronto Blue Jays, with the former offering their full $10 million.

Have you subscribed to the Dodger Blue YouTube channel? Be sure to ring the notification bell to watch player interviews, participate in shows and giveaways, and stay up to date on all Dodgers news and rumors!

Total
0
Shares
Share 0
Tweet 0
Pin it 0
Share 0
TAGGED:Los Angeles DodgersRoki Sasaki
ByMatt Borelli
Matt Borelli covers the Los Angeles Dodgers as a staff writer for Dodger Blue and holds similar responsibilities for Lakers Nation, a sister site with an emphasis on the Los Angeles Lakers. He also contributes to RamsNewswire.com and RaidersNewswire.com. An avid fantasy sports player, Matt is a former 2014 MLB Beat the Streak co-champion. His favorite Dodgers moment, among a list of many, is Clayton Kershaw's no-hitter against the Colorado Rockies in 2014. Follow him on Twitter: @mcborelli.
Ad imageAd image
Sign Up for Our Newsletter
Get breaking Dodgers News direct to your inbox.

You Might Also Like

Jake McGee
Dodgers NewsFeatured

Former Los Angeles Dodgers Relief Pitcher Jake McGee Retires

February 7, 2023
February 8, 2023
Dodgers NewsSpring Training

Farhan Zaidi: Dodgers Hopeful Justin Turner Will Miss ‘Weeks Rather Than Months’ With Fractured Left Wrist

March 25, 2018
March 25, 2018
Max Muncy
FeaturedGame Central

Cubs Vs. Dodgers Game Preview: Chance For First Ever Season Series Sweep

July 10, 2022
July 11, 2022
Dodgers News: Justin Turner Hoping For Change In Culture
Dodgers News

Dodgers News: Justin Turner Hoping For Change In Culture

February 17, 2016
February 17, 2016

Categories

  • News
  • Rumors
  • Games
  • History

Information

  • Advertise
  • Terms and Conditions
  • Privacy Policy
  • Contact Us

Sign Up for Our Newsletter

Get breaking Dodgers News direct to your inbox.

© 2025 Medium Large Sports Media, LLC. All Rights Reserved. Use of this site constitutes acceptance of our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy.
Welcome Back!

Sign in to your account

Username or Email Address
Password

Lost your password?

  • 日本語
  • 한국어